Meeting confirms access to highest level in the US, says McGuinness

Northern Ireland Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and First Minister Peter Robinson meeting US president George Bush at the White House yesterday. Photograph: Harrison Photography/PA

US PRESIDENT George Bush has congratulated First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness on their role in re-establishing the political institutions in the North.

The two Northern leaders met the president briefly during a visit to the White House yesterday, where they briefed national security adviser Stephen Hadley on the political situation.

"We were delighted to meet with the president and wish him well for the future and also thank him for his support over the eight years of his term in the White House," Mr Robinson said.

Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness are on a four-day visit to the United States focused on promoting investment in the North. They met Maryland governor Martin O'Malley on Monday and, after their White House visit, the Ministers travelled on to New York for talks with Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

"Our meeting today confirms once again that despite many competing demands, we enjoy access at the highest level in the US. We look forward to a similarly close relationship with the incoming administration," Mr McGuinness said after meeting Mr Bush.

The two Northern Ministers had no plans to meet members of president-elect Barack Obama's transition team or his nominee for secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, during this week's visit.

The American Ireland Fund hosted a reception for Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness in New York yesterday evening and the two men will meet the city's comptroller William Thompson today before addressing a dinner hosted by the Ireland Chamber.

At a Fortune 500 dinner in Washington, hosted by US special envoy for the North Paula Dobriansky, Mr Robinson said that, despite the economic climate, Northern Ireland offered valuable opportunities to US investors.

"Northern Ireland remains open and ready for business. The Executive is committed to growing our economy and to offering an open and welcoming environment for inward investment. Our country is a viable location for investors, offering a wealth of unique opportunities," he said.

"Northern Ireland offers a range of specialist and niche skills that investors can take advantage of . . . We are aware of the challenges we face but we will face them and ensure Northern Ireland's place in the world."

The Ministers will leave the US tomorrow following a meeting with New York state comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.